Swimming appliance



June 26, 1928. 1,674,801

A. J. scHwALGE SWIMMING APPLIANCE Filed July 1l, 1927 diggs ALBERT YJ'. SCHWALGE, OF CHICAGO, ILLVNOIS.

SWIMMING nrrLIAncn.

Application led July 11,

My invention relates to swimming appliances, and more particularly to such devices. as are worn on the feet of the swimmer to facilitate propulsion, and it is my main object to provide a device of this kind which is highly etcient in operation.

A further object of my invention is to so design the novel swimming appliance that it presents a broad resistance to the water during the swimming stroke and practically no resistance during the return stroke.

A still further object of the invention is to construct the same with a Agenerally flat base, so that it may be used with comfort on the ground when approaching or leaving the bodyof water.

Another object of my invention is to construct thc same with a peculiar loose formation, so that. warping or distorting strains upon the same will not be induced by the weight of the wearer or the stress of walking movements.

A final but nevertheless. important object of my invention is to construct the novel appliance of very light material and* with protected edges, so that the wearer wlll n ot experience discomfort in any Way while walking or swimming.

With the above objects in view and any others that. may suggest themselves in the specilication and claims to follow, a betterv understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to thepaccopmpanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan view of the appliance as worn on the foot, the latter being denoted' by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side view, showing the manner in which the appliance is positioned when the foot takes the rearward or active stroke;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, denoting the position of the appliance when the foot takes the forward or idle stroke;

Fig. t is a front view, the showing of the foot not being included; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sections, Ataken on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Figure 2, respectively.

I am familiar with the fac-t that swimming appliances of various designs have been patented and probably marketed, including devices worn on the swimmers feet, but I have found that all such devices have either been too heavy or clumsy, did not ma-l terially improve the swimming operation. or were too intricate to be worn with comfort or manufactured yat a reasonable figure.

Ycome these deficiences,

1927. Serial No. 204,831.

is intended to overand to fulfill the objects contemplated above.

To point out the construction of my in- The present appliance vention by specific reference to the drawing, 5 denotes the paddle section of the device, which applies over .the foot, and 6 the sole section, which applies under the same. The

paddle section is generally of elliptical design and transversely arched to more nearly conform to the shape of the foot; also, it is inclined similarly to the foot and extends a short distance beyond the same. The'sole section has the form of the standard shoe sole, and is only of the necessary size to fit the base of the foot. At the rear, both sections are `ioined by a vstrap 7 to encircle the instep.vand also a strap 8 extended from the strap 7 to encircle the ankle. These straps necessarily carry buckles for securing purposes after they have encircled the' foot, so that the appliance is securely carried at the rear portion of the foot. Near the frontal portion the sole section 6 carries an arched cross strap 9 having the form of a closed loop, which serves to receive the frontal part of the instep to facilitate a hold on the frontal part of the sole section.

At the region of the toes, the two sections are connected near their side edges by wire links l0 which are made with heads or loops 1l after they are passed through perforations 12 in the respect-ive sections these links permitting free relative motion of the respective sections to a limited degree. A similar link l0a is provided intermediately ofthe links 10, at a posit-ion corresponding to the space between the great toe and the remaining toes. The lower end of the link 10a, however, is not connected to the sole section proper, but to an up-struck tongue 13 thereof, the relation here also being loose as in the lprevious instance. The tongue is directed longitudinally of the appliance, and is intended to occupy the space between the great toe and the balance of the toes with the primaryobj ect of forming a smooth contact for the adjoiningtoes while providing for an intermediate link (10a) at the same time. In other words.r the possible discomfort due to this link is avoided by the use ofthe tongue l2.. v

As noted vmore `particularly in Figures 4 and 6, the edge of the sole section 6 is pressed with a channel 6a; also the edge of the paddle section 5 is formed with a slight inward vbe warped, distorted or brOliGll'- ybody of water.

curve, denoted at 5a. The sections 5 and 6 are made of thin sheet aluminum primarily for extreme lightness and for facility in forming the 'characteristics 5a and 6 just described. when the device is used .for .the active/or rearward or swimming stroke, as indicated in Figure :2, it will be seen that the portions 5 and 6a will facilitate the pocketing action of the sections upon Vthe water, so as to present a greater resistance thereto and aid the foot in the propulsion of the swimmer. Since 'the paddle section 5 is considerably larger than the sole section 6a, the active stroke of the swimmer will present a formidable resistance to the water. f In order to augment the force of the paddle section, lespecially at its inner edge, where the water isapt to flow through upon the swimmers an'klal have rounded the edges adjacent to the ankle to form channels 5b, more clearly shown in the detail of Fig. 5, these also acting as pockets to prevent the rush of water upon Vthe ankle and therefore increase-the efficiency of the paddle section. c

It will be seen that, by forming the sole section Gwith the'marginal channel 6a, that the `same remains flat generally, so that it acts as an ordinary ,soler when the swimmer .Walks upon the beach or landing adjacent vto the body of Water. The channel feature is .entirelyabove the level of the sole bottom, so that it does not cut the ground or into the soil or sand, and is therefore not subject to This feature is of importance when the weight .of the wearer and the lightness of the `metal lare considered, and it is my, intention that the weight be fully carried by the general portion of thc sole section which is in full contact with the surface upon which the swimmer walks while approaching or leaving the Also, the channel acts as a rim to seat the foot and prevent itsr shifting. Referring to the links 10 and l0a my objectin having these is not only to form a tie between the frontal portions of the paddle and sole sections, but also to provide for VJthe relative motion of these sections with each step taken by the wearer. Conversely, if thesections were rigidly connected While of such thin metal as described, it may be imagined that each step of they wearer would induce a strainv which would soon result in distortion or a rupture.l .Consequently, the presence of the links'lO and l0a permits the paddle vsection to moveV forward or backward as the wearer takes a forward step and" to- .return as his foot'lands on the ground, so

that the" appliance is not isubjected to any hardship or unnatural stresses. Also, the loose connection of the links permits the paddle section to maintain its-resisting position in spitey o f possible variations inthe angle of the .sole section during the swimming action. i

It will be seen that I have provided a device of extreme simplicity, lightness, and durability for the purpose intended. No eXtra attachments or device will be required l for the application of the straps 7 and 8;

pliance formsa material aid to the swim- Y mer in displacing as much water as possible with his feet, consistent with simplicity and lightness in the make-up of thel appliance. vIt will be understood that, whereveradvisable, the marginal edges of. the sections will be doubled back, as indicated atV v17 ,to -prevent' the feet from being cut or otherwise injured.

I claim:

l. A pedal swimming Aappliance comprising a paddle section over the foot extending from forwardly of the toes: to the ankle and generally conforming thereto, said section being channeled adjacent the ankle portion, and means connecting the said paddle section to-the ankle and foot. v

2. A pedal snf'imniing appliance comprising a paddle section over the foot, and generally conforming thereto, a solersectionlsecured under the foot, and means connecting the paddle section withv the s ole section, said vpaddle section lbeing extendedforwardly and laterally beyond the sole section and formed with a downturned marginal rim.

3. A pedal swimming appliance comprising a paddle section over the foot and, generally conforming thereto, a sole section secured under the foot, and means yconnecting the paddle section with the sole section, said paddle section being formed with rearwardly converging side edges, and suchedges being inturned to constitute pockets. Y y

4. A- pedal swimming appliance comprising a paddle section over the foot and generally conforming` thereto, a sole sec-tion secured under the foot, and means connecting the paddle section with the sole section, said sole section being Yformed with'a marginal upstanding rim continuous from adjacent the instep about the entire forward portion of the sole. j l i 5. A pedal swimming appliance comprising apaddle section over the foot and generally conforming thereto, a sole section secured under the foot, and means connecting the paddle section with the sole section, said sole section being formed with va marginal upstanding rim, and the latter presenting a recess on the under side. 1

6. A pedal swimming appliance comprising a paddle section over the foot and generally 'conforming thereto, a sole section secured under thefoot, and Vmeans connecting the paddle section with the sole section, said sole section being formed with a marginal upstanding rim, and the latter presenting a channel on the under side.

7. A pedal swimming appliance comprising a paddle section over the foot and generally conforming thereto, a sole section secured under the root, and means for loosely connecting the paddle section With the sole section, Said sole section having a marginal npstanding ridge surrounding the oot and a channel on the underside formed thereby.

8. A pedal swimming appliance comprising a. paddle section over the foot and generally conforming thereto, a sole section secured under the foot, links connecting the paddle section with the toe section at the sides, a. link depending from the paddle section intermediately, and a `longitudinally-directed tongue projected from the sole section to connect With such link.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALBERT J. SCHWALGE. 

